Upper St. Clair united after spring trip
After a spring-training trip to Myrtle Beach, manager Jerry Malarkey believes things are coming together for the Upper St. Clair baseball team. The Panthers were 3-3 overall heading into Section 5-AAAA action, which was supposed to begin April 4 with a visit to Canon-McMillan.
“I really like this team’s approach to practices and games,” said Malarkey. “We are playing solid defense and playing well offensively. We have been able to manufacture runs as well as put together some big innings. Plus, our pitching rotation is starting to materialize. Several pitchers threw well in South Carolina.”
Andrew Wheeler actually tossed a no-hitter during an 11-0 victory against Tennessee. He fanned nine in five innings and walked one. The senior helped his own cause, offensively, drilling a double and smacking a single. Wheeler, who plays first or third base when not on the mound, batted over .600 during the road trip.
Gunnar Lund backed Wheeler, crushing a homer, double and single in three plate appearances. Ronaldo Del Duca and Adam Baltutat each clubbed two hits against Tennessee.
USC also edged Mt. Tabor, N.C., 6-5, in the second game of the Ripken Experience and Chardon, Ohio, 8-1, in game three. Dom Cepullio struck out seven against Mt. Tabor while Wheeler socked two hits and drove in two. Tanner Cicchini swiped three bases. Dylan Winseck earned the win in relief of Cepullio. He also beat Chardon, striking out five and scattering three hits over 4 and 2/3rds innings. Wheeler, Winseck and Cepullio each tagged two hits.
USC dropped a 14-11 decision to Ocean Township from New Jersey. Wheeler slugged three hits while Tom Bash, Jason Ferrie and Lund each managed two hits. Bash drove in four runs.
In the trip’s final contest, USC fell to Apollo, Ky., 7-5. Matt Colton pitched three scoreless innings. He tagged three hits while Baltutat produced two safeties.
Noting how balanced Section 5 is, Malarkey said the Panthers’ objective this spring is to win the title. To achieve that goal and advance through the playoffs, the Panthers must rely upon their strengths and improve upon their weaknesses. “We have depth in pitching and we are competitive at all positions and seem to play solid defense,” Malarkey said. “We need to do the little things right, continue to work hard and be smart and aggressive at the plate.”
During the season, the Panthers plan on utilizing the help of Connor Brennan, Jack Martin, Robbie Saghy, Spencer Lohman, Jackson Geisler, Jake Mazzie, AJ Palmieri, Ryan Williams and Alex King.